Upon arriving in Hanoi, your driver will personally meet you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is time at leisure.

Day 02

Hanoi - Lao Cai

Visit Hanoi capital's highlights and attend to a water puppet show

Accommodation: Overnight on train

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

In the morning,visit Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, House-on-Stilts, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. After that visit the Temple of Literature, originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first University dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society place then and now on education.

Lunch at a traditional restaurant.

Continue your guided tour with a visit of the Museum of Ethnology. This museum is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the ground.
Go back to the center of Hanoi to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake, its history dating back to the 13th century. The temple is reached by crossing the The Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams’. Hoan Kiem Lake is the local point of the city and the source of many legends.
A 45 minutes Cyclo tour takes youthrough the Old Quarter. Also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the 36 s names’ was related to the products being sold there. It’s a great place to explore on foot with numerous photo opportunities.

Attend to a traditional water puppet show in the evening.

Transfer to the train station for a night train to Lao Cai.

Day 03

Lao Cai - Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai - Sapa

Visit Lao Chai and Ta Van village

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Reach Lao Cai train station in the morning, you will be met by our tour guide and transfer to Sapa town and enjoy breakfast in Sapa town.

After breakfast, departure for a 4 hour trekking journey. The driver will stop en-route for photo shots moments. Go downhill to Muong Hoa valley. Begin the trekking on a fairly rocky road, through Lao Chai village, a Black Hmong’s ethnic village. Then continue to Ta Van village of Giay ethnic minority people. Terrace fields are great for photographing, and cold soft drinks, beer, water can be found along the way of your trek. Visit local people’s house and schools en route. Continue the trek through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. Visit the village and nearby waterfall, then trek uphill to a road where your car is awaiting to transfer you back to Sapa.

Day 04

Sapa - Suoi Ho - Ma Tra village - Hanoi

Visit Suoi Ho and Ma Tra Villages

Accommodation: Overnight on train

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Start walking 5km form Sapa, downhill and cross the stream to the other bank where Suoi Ho village beautifully sits on the top of a low hill. Spend half an hour to visit several local homes for understanding of local life. Continue walking along a large path on hillsides which is paved with rock to get through Ma Tra village, a very small village hiding way from the civilisation. The walk continues through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery. During the day you will also be able to visit a local school.

Transfer back to Sapa for lunch

Later, you will be transferred to the train station for a night train back to Hanoi.

Day 05

Hanoi - Halong Bay

Enjoy the stunning Halong Bay on cruise and kayaking

Accommodation: Overnight on boat

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Reach Hanoi train station in the early morning, you will be picked up by your tour guide and driver then transfer to a day use hotel for breakfast and relax before going to Halong Bay.

In the morning, pick up at your hotel in Hanoi for a 3.5 hour to reach Halong Bay. Embark on a boat early afternoon and start gliding out to the centre of the World Heritage Site.

Lunch, at the boat’s restaurant of fresh local seafood.

Sail through Dog Head and Swan Islands, Ba Hang Floating villages (with floating houses), Incense Burner then Thumb Islands before reaching to Luon cave area for kayaking. Visit the Titop Island with one hour for swimming, sun-bathing or getting a panoramic view on island peak.

As the sun sets over the bay, head back to the boat and relax.

Dinner on board. After dinner you may choose to enjoy drinks from the bar or top deck or experience squid fishing before retiring.

Day 06

Halong Bay - Hanoi

Cave visiting and return to Hanoi

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Enjoy the morning view of the beautiful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea. Have breakfast in the fresh air. Visit the impressive Cave of Halong Bay – Surprising Cave (Sửng Sốt) with your tour guide, a truly awesome and amazing cave to experience. Admire more views of Halong Bay such as Fighting Cocks Island (Symbol of Halong Bay), Incense Burner and Stone Dogs Islands.

A cooking demonstration onboard shows you how to make authentic Vietnamese Spring rolls. You will learn about the recipes and techniques that create this popular dish of Vietnamese people.

Lunch is served on board while cruising towards the harbor.

Late in the morning, disembark and return journey to Hanoi. Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi in late afternoon.

Day 07

Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Hanoi

Enjoy a rowing boat trip to the caves and visit temples

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

In the morning, Asia Top Travel's tour expert will pick you up at your hotel to travel to Hoa Lu. Along the way, stop-over for photo and refreshment while enjoying the rural stunning scenery. Arrive in Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam (968 – 1009) under Dinh and Le dynasties. Visit Dinh temple, Le temples and surroundings.

Contine on a boat trip to Tam Coc (literally means three caves). Tam Coc is often promoted as Vietnam’s “Ha long bay on land“. Enjoy the scenic journey passing through the picturesque rural area. Savour a delicious lunch at a popular eatery and take a sampan boat trip through the canal crossing the beautiful rice paddy.

Day 08

Hanoi Fly To Hue

Flying to a new city

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Meals: Breakfast

Free morning until the transfer to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Hue airport, your tour guide will escort you to the hotel for check-in (check-in time from 14.00). The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Day 09

Hue City tour

Boat trip, Hue city's attractions

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

In the morning, take a boat trip along the poetic Perfume River to reach the ancient Thien Mu pagoda, a special cultural and historical site preserving a legendary tale about the Heaven Fairy Lady since Nguyen Dynasty.

The car picks you up to Hue Citadel. Here, walk around and take a look into the special feudal relics of immense architectural and cultural values.

A vegetarian lunch will be served by the nuns of the pagoda. This gives a fascinating insight into the life of religious people in the area.

After lunch, visit the tomb and monument of King Tu Duc, located in a very beautiful area. This is an opportunity to learn more about Nguyen Kings and to enjoy the spectacular landscape.

Day 10

Hue - Hoi An

Travel from Hue to Hoi An and visit the ancient town on a half day city tour

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

In the morning, pick up from your hotel in Hue and drive to Hoi An. Hoi An developed most of its uniquely eclectic townscape between the 16th and 19th centuries. During most of this time Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants. Over the years, many elements of these diverse architectural styles blended harmoniously with indigenous Vietnam features. Hoi An was relatively untouched by the Vietnam War, so the old world charm is stil in.

Enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the Japanese Bridge.

Day 11

Hoi An - Cam Thanh Coconut Village - Tra Que Herb Village

Have a day tour to Cam Thanh Coconut Village and attend to a Cooking Class At Tra Que Herb Village

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

The day begins by cycling along level ground to the Thu Bon River to visit a local fishing village. Ride along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and pause to see farmers toiling in their rice fields using centuries of farming practices. Peddle your way through palm forests, across bridges, fields of water buffalo, etc.

Take a short break in a local family at Cam Thanh Village before enjoying 1.5 hours ride on traditional Basket Boat (round boat) in the Water Coconut Palm Forest. Learn how to sail the basket boat and try to catch fishes and “purple crabs” in the Canal.

Continue to drive to Tra Que Organic Vegetable Village where a large variety of vegetables are produced for the local community. At the village, you will be shown the environmentally sustainable practices which the local villagers have used for centuries and is still being used extensively today.

Meet a local family and after a short, informative and fun cooking lesson, sit down for a delicious lunch.

After lunch, come back your hotel and free time.

Day 12

Hoian

Relaxing day in Hoi An

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast is served at your hotel. Today you are free to go around the ancient town or to relax on beach on your own.

Day 13

Hoi An - Danang - Nha Trang

Fly to a beach city: Nha Trang

Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast is served at hotel. You are free until meet the tour guide and driver, transfer to Danang Airport for the flight to Nha Trang. Upon arrival in Nha Trang, your tour guide and driver will escort you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of day you are free at leisure.

Day 14

Nha Trang

Enjoy a luxury day boat trip in Nha Trang

Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

In the morning, transfer to Nha Trang Port to board the Junk. Start cruising through the spectacular landscape of Nha Trang Bay. Continue to cruise past the Tam, Mot, and Mun islands in Nha Trang Bay. Your next destination is Bai Cau in Dam Bay Lagoon, near the famous diving Mun Island site. Arrival at the Secret Beach in Bai Cau, you can either go snorkeling, swimming, fishing, walking, kayaking in either a normal or glass-bottomed kayak, or try a basket boat. Alternatively, just relax.

Set lunch on board as the boat anchors near Hon Tam Island with its tranquil lagoon and fish farms.

After lunch, cruise back to Nha Trang Harbor passing Vung Ngan floating village and Vinpearl Island and Tri Nguyen Aquarium, catching a glimpse of the inhabited Mieu Island. The next destination of this afternoon is Mieu Island for a walking tour to visit the local fishing villages. Learn about the way of life away from the mainland and interact with the friendly locals while learning a little about the daily lives of the villagers. Spend a few minutes exploring the beautiful landscape by basket boat as you head over to fish farms. Back on the junk, cruise to the harbor and transfer to your hotel.

Day 15

Nha Trang - Dalat

Go to a new city

Accommodation: Hotel in Dalat

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast your tour guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby fo a 4 hour drive to Dalat over beautiful Khanh Le Pass. Don’t forget to take a short stop for photos. Check-in hotel in Dalat. The rest of day is your leisure time

Day 16

Dalat

Discover Dalat on a guided city tour

Accommodation: Hotel in Dalat

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Startthe day with a walk around Xuan Huong lake – the mirror in the center of Dalat. Stop to visit the ancient train station - one of the works bearing the imprint of French architecture in Indochina. You will see the locomotives powered by steam and the cog railroad. Visit Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, where the last Emperor of Viet Nam - Bao Dai stayed and ruled his Viet Nam from 1949 to 1954. The next point is the Crazy House - the architecture that can not be explained nor described, just come and see!

Continue to drive along the most quiet and romantic streets to Datanla waterfall. Enjoy a sence of adventure when sliding down by roller coaster (optional). Then drive to Tuyen lam Lake. Visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery that is over look Tuyen Lam Lake, at present is the biggest Zen University in Viet Nam. The last point of this day is Robin Hill, at an altitude of 1690m compared with sea level, you will have a panoramic view to the town during the sunset.

Day 17

Dalat - Ho Chi Minh

Enjoy a leisure time before exploring Ho Chi Minh city

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast

Take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, you will be picked up and escorted to hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Day 18

Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnel - Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Explore the maze of tunnels and Ho Chi Minh city tour

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Departure for a drive through pleasant countryside before arriving at Cu Chi.

Spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels where the Vietnamese could escape bombings, hide from enemy, and mount surprise attacks. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers.

After a lunch in Cu Chi, head back to Saigon.

Start your half day citytour by looking at the Notre Dame Cathedral built between 1877 and 1883. This is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Nearby is the Old Post Office that is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country’s largest post office.

Move on to see the Reunification Palace, one of the most important buildings in the city. Here on April 30th 1975 the ‘American War’ officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. After that, we continue to visitWar Remnants Museum (American War Crimes), a poignant display of the futility of war.

Depending on the timing, have a look on a wide selection of goods at Ben Thanh Market.

Late afternoon, transfer back to your hotel.

Day 19

Ho Chi Minh - Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can Tho

Discover the local life in Mekong Delta to know more about the culture in South Vietnam

Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Meet the tour guide in the morning, departure for Mekong Delta. The program will start with a visit of Cai Be floating market. Then, an optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see how to make rice paper, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop-corn... The rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and to enjoy the peaceful time. It is so interesting to see traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves and see some activities of the local farmers with an opportunity to make contacts with them and see how they catch fish...

After lunch, you can walk around and taste some fruits while listening to traditional Vietnamese music. One more thing to do in this trip is biking! It is an amazing experience to bike on village paths to observe the local farms, houses, real life and the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta. The cruise will end at Vinh Long city, head to Can Tho for the night.

Day 20

Can Tho - Cai Rang - Ho Chi Minh

Make the most of Cai Rang morning floating market, visit rice noodle maker and brick manufacture

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy an early boat trip to visit the biggest floating Market in Mekong. This is a great opportunity to see and taste different type of tropical fruits and vegetables.

On the way, visit the rice noodle maker and brick manufacture, the boat trip ends at the local market where you can see the local life with selling local product.

Go back to your hotel for breakfast and after that transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 21

Ho Chi Minh Departure

Say goodbye to our team and take your flight back home

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast

Free morning at your own leisure until the transfer to the airport for your flight departure.

Note

Don't forget to pack good hiking shoes.
The Halong Bay itinerary is sample and it is changed depending on the cruise you choose.